Insulated bottle

ABSTRACT

A liquid container system includes an inner bottle that has a base portion with a first diameter. The system also includes an outer bottle that surrounds at least a portion of the inner bottle. The outer bottle includes a mid-portion that has a second diameter, and the second diameter is less than the first diameter. The system further includes a first indent in the inner bottle that, responsive to an applied pressure, decreases the first diameter of the base portion of the inner bottle such that the first diameter is less than or equal to the second diameter.

BACKGROUND

Dehydration refers to a condition that occurs when the human body doesnot receive as much water as it needs to properly function. Dehydrationcan be caused due to illness, due to medications (e.g., diuretics), dueto simply not drinking the necessary amount of water, etc. Exercise andother strenuous activities such as running, bicycling, hiking, climbing,weightlifting, etc. can cause sweating, which can also lead todehydration if the lost fluids are not replaced in a timely manner. Itis therefore desirable to have a water/liquid source available duringexercise to replace fluids and help prevent dehydration.

SUMMARY

An illustrative liquid container system includes an inner bottle thathas a base portion with a first diameter. The system also includes anouter bottle that surrounds at least a portion of the inner bottle. Theouter bottle includes a mid-portion that has a second diameter, and thesecond diameter is less than the first diameter. The system furtherincludes a first indent in the inner bottle that, responsive to anapplied pressure, decreases the first diameter of the base portion ofthe inner bottle such that the first diameter is less than or equal tothe second diameter.

In some embodiments, the first indent is positioned entirely within thebase portion of the inner bottle. The system can also include a secondindent positioned in the base portion of the inner bottle. The secondindent can be positioned opposite of the first indent on the baseportion of the inner bottle. In an illustrative embodiment, the innerbottle has an inner bottle mid-portion that matches a contour of themid-portion of the outer bottle. In another embodiment, the inner bottlealso includes an inner bottle upper portion connected to the innerbottle mid-portion, and the inner bottle upper portion includes threadsconfigured to receive a lid for the inner bottle.

In some embodiments, the system includes an insulation sleeve positionedbetween the inner bottle and the outer bottle. Additionally, the firstindent can be formed by a sidewall of the base portion of the innerbottle such that the first indent comprises a portion of the sidewallthat forms a pocket which extends inward on the inner bottle. In anotherillustrative embodiment, the outer bottle is rigid and the inner bottleis semi-rigid.

An illustrative method of making a liquid container system includesforming an inner bottle that has a base portion with a first diameter, amid-portion, and an upper portion, where forming the base portionincludes forming a first indent in the base portion. The method alsoincludes forming an outer bottle that is sized to surround at least aportion of the inner bottle. The outer bottle includes an outer bottlemid-portion that has a second diameter, and the second diameter is lessthan the first diameter. The method further includes inserting the innerbottle into the outer bottle, where the inserting includes applyingpressure to the base portion of the inner bottle such that the firstindent decreases the first diameter of the base portion of the innerbottle such that the first diameter is less than or equal to the seconddiameter.

In some embodiments, the method also includes forming a second indent inthe base portion of the inner bottle, where the second indent ispositioned opposite of the first indent on the base portion of the innerbottle. In another embodiment, the mid-portion of the inner bottle isformed such that it matches a contour of the outer bottle mid-portion.The method can also include forming threads on the upper portion of theinner bottle, where the threads are configured to receive a lid for theinner bottle. The method can further include forming an insulationsleeve that is sized for placement between the inner bottle and theouter bottle. In such an embodiment, the method includes inserting theinner bottle into the insulation sleeve to form an insulated innerbottle, and where inserting the inner bottle into the outer bottlecomprises inserting the insulated inner bottle into the outer bottle. Inan illustrative embodiment, forming the first indent comprises forming apocket in a sidewall of the base portion of the inner bottle. In anotherembodiment, forming the first indent comprises forming the pocket suchthat the pocket extends into the inner bottle.

Other principal features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the followingdrawings, the detailed description, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments will hereafter be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding thatthese drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of itsscope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a liquid container in accordance withan illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts an inner bottle in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 3A is a close-up partial view of an indent in an uncompressed innerbottle in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a close-up partial view of an indent in a compressed innerbottle in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4A depicts an inner bottle partially inserted into an outer bottlein accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4B depicts the inner bottle fully inserted into the outer bottle inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Traditional insulated liquid containers (e.g., water bottles) are oftenmanufactured using a blow molding process, in which a heated material isformed into the container. Existing blow molds often limit the sizeand/or volume of the insulated liquid container, and using the blowmolding technique to form larger liquid containers can result inoverstretching of the container material. Such overstretching formsoverly thin walls in the liquid container that are subject to possiblefailure.

Described herein is a multi-part insulated liquid container that hasincreased volume, and that can be formed using traditional manufacturingtechniques. The liquid container is designed to have greater length anddiameter, as compared to traditional liquid containers. In anillustrative embodiment, the liquid container includes an inner bottleand an outer bottle that receives and encapsulates the inner bottle. Insome embodiments, the liquid container can also include an insulatingsleeve that is positioned between the outer bottle and the inner bottle.

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a liquid container in accordance withan illustrative embodiment. As shown, the liquid container includes aninner bottle 100, an insulating sleeve 105 that receives the innerbottle 100, and an outer bottle 110 that receives the insulating sleeve105 and the inner bottle 100. In an illustrative embodiment, the innerbottle 100 is used to hold a liquid (e.g., water), and the insulatingsleeve 105 is used to insulate the inner bottle 100 so that the insertedliquid remains at a desired temperature (i.e., either hot or cold ascompared to the ambient environment). In alternative embodiments, theinsulating sleeve 105 may not be included. In another illustrativeembodiment, the inner bottle 100 and the insulating sleeve 105 (ifincluded) are at least semi-flexible (or semi-rigid) such that the innerbottle 100 and the insulating sleeve 105 can be deformed while beingplaced into the outer bottle 110. The outer bottle 110 can be made froma more rigid material that provides structural integrity for the liquidcontainer, and protection to the inner bottle 100. In one embodiment,the components of the liquid container can be made from polypropylene.Alternatively, different material(s) may be used.

As shown, the inner bottle 100 includes one or more indents that allowthe inner bottle 100 to be manipulated (i.e., compressed) such that itfits into the outer bottle 110 without structural damage to the innerbottle 100 or the outer bottle 110. FIG. 2 depicts an inner bottle 200in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The inner bottle has abase portion 205 that is ovular in shape and that tapers at its lowerand upper ends such that a center of the base portion 205 has a largerdiameter than the lower and upper ends of the base portion. Connected tothe upper end of the base portion 205 is a mid-portion 210 that tapersoutward such that a lower end of the mid-portion (i.e., that isconnected to the upper end of the base portion) has a smaller diameterthan the upper end of the mid-portion 210. The mid-portion 210 thereforeforms a handle or grip by which a user can hold onto the inner bottle200. An upper portion 215 of the inner bottle 200 includes a lower endthat connects to the upper end of the mid-portion 210 and an upper endwhich includes threads to receive a lid/cap for the inner bottle 200. Asshown in FIG. 1 , the outer bottle similarly has a base portion, amid-portion, and an upper portion that match the contours of the likeportions on the inner bottle 200. In an illustrative embodiment, theupper portion of the outer bottle does not include threads such that alid/cap is secured directly to the inner bottle 200.

Included on the base portion 205 is a pair of indents 220 that arepositioned opposite of one another (i.e., 180 degrees apart). Inalternative embodiments, fewer or additional indents may be includedsuch that the inner bottle 200 includes 1 indent, 3 indents, fourindents, etc. The indents 220 allow the inner bottle 200 to bemanipulated such that a diameter of the base portion 205 decreases. Thisdecrease in diameter allows the inner bottle 200 to be placed into anouter bottle without causing damage to either the inner bottle 200 orthe outer bottle. As shown, the indents 220 are in the form of pockets(i.e., cavities) that are formed as part of the sidewalls of the baseportion 205. The indents extend into the base portion 205 and form anatural crease by which the diameter of the inner bottle 200 can bedecreased when pressure is applied thereto.

FIG. 3A is a close-up partial view of an indent in an uncompressed innerbottle in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. FIG. 3B is aclose-up partial view of an indent in a compressed inner bottle inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment. As shown by the arrows, whenthe inner bottle is compressed (FIG. 3B), the crease formed by theindent allows the diameter of the inner bottle to be decreased such thatthe inner bottle can be placed into (or removed from) an outer bottle.Specifically, the sidewalls of the pocket/cavity formed by the indentcollapse inward to effectively decrease overall diameter of the baseportion of the inner bottle. In an uncompressed state (FIG. 3A), with nopressure applied, the base portion of the inner bottle maintains itsnormal (ovular) shape.

FIG. 4A depicts an inner bottle 400 partially inserted into an outerbottle 405 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. FIG. 4Bdepicts the inner bottle 400 fully inserted into the outer bottle 405 inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment. The arrow if FIG. 4A depictsa point of contact between an outer surface of the inner bottle and aninner surface of the outer bottle. If the inner bottle was rigid and hada diameter that could not be manipulated, the inner bottle would not fitinto the outer bottle without damage. However, as discussed, the indentsin the inner bottle allow the diameter of the (base portion of) innerbottle to temporarily decrease while the inner bottle is being insertedinto the outer bottle. This allows the base portion of the inner bottleto slide past the narrower mid-portion of the outer bottle so that,excluding the threads for the cap, the inner bottle is encapsulated byan outer bottle having the same basic shape. In one embodiment, theinner bottle (and insulation sleeve if used) can be hydraulicallypressed into the outer bottle, and the process of hydraulically pressingthe inner bottle causes the indents to collapse, which allows the innerbottle to pass into the outer bottle.

Still referring to FIG. 4A, it can be seen that a diameter of the(uncompressed) base portion of the inner bottle is greater than adiameter of the mid-portion of the outer bottle such that the innerbottle will not fit into the outer bottle while both are in theirnatural, uncompressed states. Applying pressure to the base portion ofthe inner bottle (through a hydraulic press, manually, etc.) compressesthe base portion, and the indent(s) in the base portion allow thediameter thereof to decrease in response to the applied pressure. As aresult, the diameter of the base portion of the inner bottle becomesless than the diameter of the mid-portion of the outer bottle, allowingthe base portion of the inner bottle to pass into the base portion ofthe outer bottle. The end result is shown in FIG. 4B.

In addition to allowing the inner bottle to fit within the outer bottlewithout damage, the indents in the inner bottle also allow for a liquidcontainer that has overall greater volume, as compared to traditionalbottles. The indents allow for a tighter fit to be achieved between theinner bottle and the outer bottle, which means that the inner bottleconforms better to the shape of the outer bottle, allowing for morevolume in the inner bottle. As an example, a traditional water bottlemay hold 26 ounces of water (without an insulation sleeve). Using theproposed system, the volume of the inner bottle can be increased to28-32 ounces (depending on whether an insulation sleeve is used) due tothe improved fit between the inner and outer water bottles. Inalternative embodiments, different volumes may be used for the proposedliquid containers.

The word “illustrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example,instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other aspects or designs. Further, for the purposes ofthis disclosure and unless otherwise specified, “a” or “an” means “oneor more”.

The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments of the inventionhas been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible inlight of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of theinvention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explainthe principles of the invention and as practical applications of theinvention to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention invarious embodiments and with various modifications as suited to theparticular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the claims appended hereto and theirequivalents.

1. A liquid container system comprising: an inner bottle that has a baseportion with a first diameter; an outer bottle that surrounds at least aportion of the inner bottle, wherein the outer bottle includes amid-portion that has a second diameter, wherein the second diameter isless than the first diameter; and a first indent in the inner bottlethat, responsive to an applied pressure, decreases the first diameter ofthe base portion of the inner bottle such that the first diameter isless than or equal to the second diameter, wherein the first indent ispositioned entirely within the base portion of the inner bottle. 2.(canceled)
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second indentpositioned in the base portion of the inner bottle.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the second indent is positioned opposite of the firstindent on the base portion of the inner bottle.
 5. The system of claim1, wherein the inner bottle has an inner bottle mid-portion that matchesa contour of the mid-portion of the outer bottle.
 6. The system of claim5, wherein the inner bottle also includes an inner bottle upper portionconnected to the inner bottle mid-portion, and wherein the inner bottleupper portion includes threads configured to receive a lid for the innerbottle.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising an insulationsleeve positioned between the inner bottle and the outer bottle.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first indent is formed by a sidewall ofthe base portion of the inner bottle.
 9. The system of claim 8, whereinthe first indent comprises a portion of the sidewall that forms a pocketwhich extends inward on the inner bottle.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein the outer bottle is rigid.
 11. The system of claim 1, whereinthe inner bottle is semi-rigid.
 12. A method of making a liquidcontainer system, the method comprising: forming an inner bottle thathas a base portion with a first diameter, a mid-portion, and an upperportion, wherein forming the base portion includes forming a firstindent in the base portion such that the first indent is positionedentirely within the base portion of the inner bottle; forming an outerbottle that is sized to surround at least a portion of the inner bottle,wherein the outer bottle includes an outer bottle mid-portion that has asecond diameter, wherein the second diameter is less than the firstdiameter; and inserting the inner bottle into the outer bottle, whereinthe inserting includes applying pressure to the base portion of theinner bottle such that the first indent decreases the first diameter ofthe base portion of the inner bottle such that the first diameter isless than or equal to the second diameter.
 13. The method of claim 12,further comprising forming a second indent in the base portion of theinner bottle.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second indent ispositioned opposite of the first indent on the base portion of the innerbottle.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the mid-portion of the innerbottle is formed such that it matches a contour of the outer bottlemid-portion.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising formingthreads on the upper portion of the inner bottle, wherein the threadsare configured to receive a lid for the inner bottle.
 17. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising forming an insulation sleeve that is sizedfor placement between the inner bottle and the outer bottle.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising inserting the inner bottle intothe insulation sleeve to form an insulated inner bottle, and whereininserting the inner bottle into the outer bottle comprises inserting theinsulated inner bottle into the outer bottle.
 19. The method of claim12, wherein forming the first indent comprises forming a pocket in asidewall of the base portion of the inner bottle.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein forming the first indent comprises forming the pocketsuch that the pocket extends into the inner bottle.